Survivor ends with an apology and a plan, Legends of the Hidden Temple ...
Survivor ends with an apology and a plan, Legends of the Hidden Temple is returning, and more in the last newsletter of the year
Dear newsletter friends,
We’ve almost reached the end of another year, and another decade. Wow!
I’ve already shared with you my picks for the best reality TV of these past 10 years. Starting Monday, on realityblurred.com, I’ll be highlighting some reviews and news that were my favorite stories from the year, so check the site for those.
For reading during holiday travels or family gatherings, here are 7 great stories about reality TV—deep dives into RuPaul’s Drag Race, Love & Hip Hop, the long-running documentary series 7 Up, and more.
Before we get to the week’s big news—yep, Survivor—this was a big week for finales, as The Voice, Masked Singer, and Temptation Island also all ended their seasons.
And Wednesday night, Born This Way ended forever with a special.
Hollywood’s efforts to bring my childhood into my 40s continued with news of a reboot of Legends of the Hidden Temple, the 1990s Nickelodeon game show that ended in a temple maze that I still want to run.
The new show is making major changes, including having adult contestants, which should be interesting.
If you are still shopping for presents (like me, eek), I compiled a list of last-minute gifts for reality TV show fans—or yourself!
Who knew you could get Forged in Fire knives and pans? Or Bachelor coloring books? Or a Mary Berry mask? 🎁🎁🎁
Survivor ends its worst season
As Survivor: Island of the Idols approached its finale, I wrote about how Survivor’s self-destruction has been years in the making.
It seemed like CBS’s silence and/or deflection was going to continue. Then, days after Dan Spilo said he’s “not allowed to comment,” he issued a public apology to Kellee.
On the same day, the eve of the finale, CBS and Survivor announced concrete changes to the production. That was overdue but very welcome.
The new guidelines will also apply to other CBS reality shows, and include a rule prohibiting sexual harassment. How is that they didn’t already have that rule—in 2019?! After 20 years and 40 seasons?!
During the actual reunion, Survivor ended its worst season ever by doing one thing right: giving Kellee Kim an apology and time to speak.
Those were positive steps and plans, but since Survivor’s spring season has already been filmed, it won’t affect season 40. And thus we’ll have to wait until Big Brother this summer and Survivor next fall to see these changes in action.
Also, I do think this is about more than CBS shows, although CBS has a long, troubling history of a toxic culture. The industry as a whole still has a reckoning coming about how it treats its stars. I’ll be writing more about that in the new year.
Speaking of the new year: Despite this disappointing, disheartening season, I am still very, very excited for season 40, Survivor Winners at War.
Thanks for a great year 🎉🎆
Thank you so much for reading this newsletter this year. I know our inboxes are overflowing, and I’m honored to have space in yours.
This will be the last Reality in Focus, my Friday newsletter, of the year. I’ll be back in 2020—though you’ll also get one more e-mail from me Sunday night with a preview of marathons and premieres that are still to come next year.
By the way, that’ll be the last free Sunday preview that goes to everyone, as the bonus content will go to upgraded subscribers only in 2020. Thank you so much to those of you who upgraded your subscriptions! You’re awesome.
For those of you who will be celebrating next week, a very happy Hanukkah and/or Christmas, and for everyone, happy new year!
I look forward to watching reality TV with you next year—and for the next decade!
best,
Andy
🌄 This is Reality in Focus issue 174, first sent 20 December 2019, and it loves this time of year when there’s a break in new TV shows.
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📷 Photo of a a tree ornament on a Christmas tree by freestocks.org.